I've always loved being in nature. Before becoming a Quaker at 13, all my spiritual experiences came to me outside. I found out that by slowing down my reality, I could integrate my consciousness with the web of life, sing with the birds and travel downstream. This experience is joyous and healing, and I return to it whenever I can.

Seeing the effects of modern industrial capitalism on our natural systems, I have had to become active in several environmental causes here in Indiana. Here are the most important to me at this time.

My most longlasting concern has been the PCB Superfund sites here in Bloomington, Indiana, where I moved with my family in 1980. We went through many trials and labors, but were able in the end to stop construction of a garbage-fueled toxic waste incinerator here to burn the PCBs. In 1991 I recorded PCB Blues, an album of songs by local songwriters created to raise consciousness and foster community resistance to the plan. (It worked!)

I created my PCB website in 1995, and merged it with the COPA BBS in 1997. I still maintain the huge COPA website, which monitors the cleanup process under an EPA TAG grant. In March, 2003, I attended the PCB Congress in Fairfield Conn, where we adopted the "Declaration of Independence from PCBs" and heard a great keynote speach about the "Precautionary Principle" by Dr. Peter Montague, editor of Rachel's Environment & Health News.

I'm concerned that although many tons of PCBs were removed, many tons still remain at Neal's Landfill and Lemon Lane, and in the karst beneath these retired landfills. Viacom has so far refused to pay for water treatment at the sites, and PCBs continue to contaminate Clear Creek, Richland Creek, and Stouts' Creek.

Through all of the 90's I have been opposed the proposed new terrrain I-69 through Southwestern Indiana. It is a bad idea taken to an extreme. I created the original CARR website and maintained it for 5 years, then turned it over to others for a facelift. I also wrote the song "I-69 Revisited", which has become the CARR anthem. Our last big event was a Thanksgiving Dinner made from food in the corridor, which we delivered to the Governor, singing all the way!

I serve on the Bloomington Bike and Pedestrian Safety Commission, and am chairperson for 2003. We concern ourselves with creating a safe and friendly environment for cyclists and pedestrians. We make recommendations on upcoming construction and street projects, and are responsible for reviewing neighborhood requests for traffic calming. We are working on Safe Routes to Schools, the Walking Schoolbus, expansion of the multi-use path system, and a new city bike map.